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On Day 2, Marlins grab pitchers, outfielders

On Day 2, Marlins grab pitchers, outfielders

Rett Varner spent the first part of Tuesday afternoon sitting at his parents' table staring at the computer screen. He spent the second half of the day jumping for joy.

With the 197th overall pick, the Marlins selected the University of Texas-Arlington right-handed pitcher in the sixth round. Varner became the second Maverick taken in the Draft, joining teammate Michael Choice, who was the 10th overall selection in the first round by the Oakland Athletics. Teammates Jason Mitchell (15th round, Royals) and Logan Bawcom (17th round, Dodgers) were also selected to mark a historic day in UT-Arlington baseball history.

This year marked the first time in school history that four players were selected in the top 20 rounds of the Draft. In the 1981 Draft, four Mavericks players were taken between the 22nd and 27th rounds.

"Our school has always been a factory for putting out good talent, and it's nice for the school to get recognition and our program to be recognized," Varner said. "I think it show guys in the area that they don't have to go to a big school to get exposed if they want to play on the next level."

Last season, Verner paced the team by going 8-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 103 2/3 innings. An honorable mention All-Southland Conference selection, he posted three complete games in 2010 and made nine starts pitching at least seven innings, including six of his past seven.

Verner credits Choice for keeping UT-Arlington's name in the national spotlight.

"We didn't just have area scouts at our games, we had cross-checkers and scouting directors there, too," he said. "He gave us a lot of exposure that maybe we would not have had. I owe him a steak dinner before we all leave."

Since 1973, there have been 90 Draft or free-agent selections from the UT-Arlington baseball program. There have been 43 picks during that span, including Adam Moore (Seattle, '06), Hunter Pence (Houston, '04), Mark Lowe (Seattle, '04), Ryan Roberts (Toronto, '03) and John Lackey (Angels, '99).

Add Varner to the list.

Here's a look at the rest of the Marlins' Day 2 picks:

Round 2, Robert Rasmussen, LHP, UCLA: Rasmussen has four pitches he's around the plate with, though he does need to be a little more efficient with his pitches. He's a bit undersized.

Round 3, Jacob Realmuto, INF, Carl Albert H.S.: Named Big All City Player of the Year in Oklahoma.

Round 4, Alvin Toles, OF, Sandy Creek H.S.: The son of former NFL linebacker Alvin Toles, this center fielder has above-average speed and an above-average arm.

Round 5, Robert Morey, RHP, University of Virginia: The junior went 9-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 15 starts.

Round 7, Mark Canha, OF, University of California: He has above-average raw power and average speed.

Round 8, Alan Oaks, RHP, University of Michigan: An All-Big 10 third-team selection, he compiled a 6-5 record with a 3.82 ERA